A happy guy <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
 
>BTW, it seems like most of the privat breeders in Sweden charge a 1000kr
>($150) for a not neutered/spayed or descented ferret, why is that? I'm just
>curious since the normal price here in the US for a "fixed" and descented
>ferret (with warranty) is about $100 (650kr).
 
1.  Since they aren't to be neutered until they are about 9 months, or
    more, of age, selling neutered "kits" is not quite practical.
 
1b. Descenting is:
    * unneccessary
    * potentially harmful
 
2.  SEK 1000 is about what you need to charge in order not to loose
    money, or anyway not loose too much.
 
    Bringing them up on a farm and shipping them to a pet store, where
    they can (if lucky(*)) be sold at half the age a private breeder will
    part with them, of course entails lower costs.
 
    But that's the price we have to compete against regarding some
    customers, so charging a more reasonable SEK 1300-1400 is at this
    time not feasible.  Those of us who want to: Know where the ferrets
    come from; Have ferrets that have been brought up living with humans;
    Know who their great-grand-parents are; &c, would of course pay more,
    but it is felt to be more fair charging all customers the same.
 
(*) Some pet shops have an agreement with the supplier allowing them
to returned unsold kits when the next batch arrives.  It's unlikely
they end up in a retirement home.
--
 Urban Fredriksson  [log in to unmask]  http://www.ki.icl.se/urf/
 Svenska tam-illerf|reningen / The Swedish Ferret Society
 Malmv{gen 23, 191 61  Sollentuna, 0701-55 11 55
 http://www.ki.icl.se/urf/ferrets/stif/
[Posted in FML issue 1411]